Two fires that occurred within two weeks and less than 500 feet from one another are at the center of an arson investigation in the city of Oneida. Oneida Fire Chief Don Hudson said investigators have ruled out accidental and natural causes in a May 10 garage fire at 421 Seneca St. The second fire came 11 days later at...
Two fires that occurred within two weeks and less than 500 feet from one another are at the center of an arson investigation in the city of Oneida.
Oneida Fire Chief Don Hudson said investigators have ruled out accidental and natural causes in a May 10 garage fire at 421 Seneca St.
The second fire came 11 days later at 429 Seneca St. No one was home at the time of the fire, which destroyed the two-story house and its contents, Hudson said.
“It is another incendiary fire,” Hudson said. “We have ruled out all accidental causes.”
Concern heightened when the fires escalated, Hudson said.
“It went from something very small to something very big,” Hudson said. “If they’re not stopped, and they get the desire to do this again, there could be a very tragic outcome. That’s what we’re trying to prevent.”
Madison Mutual Insurance Agency has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals involved in the garage fire.
Police and fire officials are also soliciting information from area residents.
“The information may seem small to them, but it may be huge to us,” Hudson said. “They could have been out for a walk, sitting on their porch. We’re asking residents to tell us anything and everything they might have seen.”
To contact fire officials, call the city’s tip line at 363-9111, extension 217.